Quick Connect Coupler Collet Finger Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick connect/disconnect coupling assemblies for fluid conduits lack improved coupling security, simplified operation, and cost-effectiveness in manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A female quick-connect coupler with an ergonomic design and actuation button that positively engages with a male connector, allowing easy coupling and decoupling through a spring-actuated mechanism, utilizing a collet finger and helical spring for secure engagement and disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring-actuated push button engagement assembly is used, then coupling security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collet finger and push button are integrated into a single assembly where the push button directly actuates the collet finger through a pivot point. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining the spring-actuated engagement mechanism, thus improving coupling security without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The collet finger is received within the housing and nested along with the push button assembly. The spring is contained within the housing structure, creating a compact nested arrangement that achieves reliable engagement while minimizing overall device complexity and component count.
2Reliability
If a bayonet assembly with spring actuated push button is used, then coupling security is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into modular components: housing, collet finger assembly, and push button assembly. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing of individual parts that can be assembled through standard processes, reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining the reliable spring-actuated engagement mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is designed to be automatically compressed and released through the push button mechanism without requiring additional actuating components. This self-service feature reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining coupling security.
3Ease of operation
If a traditional quick connect/disconnect assembly is used, then operation is simple, but coupling security is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The collet finger is designed to dynamically transition between engaged and disengaged states through the spring-actuated push button mechanism. During insertion, the collet finger automatically engages with the male connector; during removal, the push button releases the engagement. This dynamic behavior maintains operational simplicity while significantly improving coupling security compared to static traditional assemblies.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides enhanced coupling security, simplified operation, and reduced manufacturing costs by ensuring reliable engagement and disengagement of fluid conduits while maintaining ergonomic usability.
Implementation Method 1
a collet finger and helical spring for secure engagement and disengagement
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
The present invention is a female connector for releasable coupling with a male connector. The male connector defines a fluid conduit and includes a male end adapted to be received within the female connector. The male end includes a coupling feature. The female connector comprises an opening, a collet finger, and an actuation element. The opening is adapted to guide the male connector along a first line of action as the male connector passes into the opening to be received within the female connector. The collet finger includes an engagement feature adapted to engage the coupling feature of the male end and displace along a second line of action generally normal to the first line of action. The actuation element is adapted to displace along a third line of action generally normal to the first and second lines of action in order to disengage the engagement feature from the coupling feature of the male end. When the engagement feature is engaged with the coupling feature, the fluid conduit of the male connector is held in fluid communication with a fluid conduit of the female connector.